As one of the busiest years for Irish production, the projects of 2016 are now coming full circle and releasing to Irish audiences following festival screenings at the prestigious ADIFF and TIFF among others, and many awards recognising Irish talent before and behind the camera.

Today alone, three major titles release to the big screen, with documentaries ‘In Loco Parentis’ (Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane) produced by Soilsiú, and ‘Lost in France’ (Niall McCann), produced by Nicky Gogan and Paul Welsh for Still Films and Edge City Films.

These release alongside Juanita Wilson’s second feature project ‘Tomato Red’, produced by Elizabeth Gill and James Flynn of Metropolitan Films/Octagon Films, and Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films.

On the 24th of this month Jim Sheridan’s ‘The Secret Scripture’ starring Rooney Mara (Carol) and Jack Reynor (Sing Street) also releases. This project is produced by Noel Pearson and Rob Quigley for Ferndale Films

April
First up next month is ‘A Dark Song’ from Liam Gavin on April 7th, which was one of several Irish projects to land deals at the American Film Market in 2016, with US distribution rights going IFC Midnight and worldwide (excluding North America) to Kaleidoscope. ‘A Dark Song’ is produced by David Collins and Cormac Fox at Samson Films with Tim Dennison at Tall Man Films.

Rugby school drama ‘Handsome Devil’ (John Butler) which premiered at TIFF 2016 and closed ADIFF at home will also release on April 21st. With Fionn O’Shea (The Seige of Jadotville) and Nicholas Galitzine (High Strung) in leading roles, it also features Moe Dunford (Vikings) and Andrew Scott (The Stag).

‘Handsome Devil’ is produced by Rebecca O'Flanagan and Rob Walpole for Treasure Entertainment.

June
The abovementioned ‘Maudie’, based on the real-life story of Nova-Scotia born artist Maud Lewis releases on June 16th, having recently opened ADIFF. This title is distributed by Sony Pictures Classic. The title is and Irish-Canadian co-production with Small Shack Productions and Painted House Films also on board as producers. Susan Mullen at Parallel Film Productions produces in Ireland

Also due for release this summer is ‘Sanctuary’, the Best First Irish Feature prize winner at the Galway Film Fleadh 2016. Len Collin’s debut also earned him the DFCC Michael Dwyer Discovery Award at ADIFF. ‘Sanctuary’ is produced by Edwina Forkin at Zanzibar Films.